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The new, as-of-yet unopen Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University will feature a museum shop. CURRENT Books is pleased to have the ICA shop at our art book fair previewing the kinds of objects they will stock in advance of the institute's opening on April 21, 2018. The ICA Shop will offer a range of art objects, mindfully-considered products and reading materials that aspire to circulate creative thought and ongoing critical discourse. The shop is committed to offering the most relevant art writing and scouts products from local makers to international brands. It aims to be aware and to engage with its community. In this Q&A, retail manager Egbert Vongmalaithong gives us an inside scoop.

Why did the ICA decide to foray into the world of art publishing?

The decision for the ICA shop to carry artists’ books and zines is inspired by the memory of people going from table to table at the Richmond Zine Fest. The energy of everyone discovering new content is so special. It’s like forming a crush on the work. We went to the New York Art Book Fair this past fall and interacted with so many talented thinkers and makers. It’s undeniable that Richmond needs spaces dedicated to the community of art book publishing because it really is a channel for the exchange of information and ideas on a human scale.

Why art books?

Art books and zines are accessible and more easily distributed. Small presses are platforms for under-represented artists’ voices and are crucial in the exchange of nuanced thinking.

Are there any organizations or people in your community that have been particularly influential to you and your project?